Piggy in the Middle

      

    The longest lunar eclipse is going to happen in our skies tonight. Unfortunately, it won't be visible everywhere in the world but for those of us who are fortunate enough to see it, it will be a spectacular sight. 

    We will be able to gaze into the sky for 1hr 43minutes as the moon becomes a deep shade of red. This is an astronomical phenomenon of this century and can only happen when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned exactly, or closely. With the Earth acting as piggy in the middle, the moon will pass directly behind our planet into the Earth's shadow.

    In many places in the world, it will be a time to tell great tales to excite the imagination of both children and adults alike. I know in many locations throughout Spain there will be tales told in the light of the full moon (Cuentos a La Luz de la Luna llena) with the main protagonist being the moon.

    While being piggy in the middle isn't always a great experience, tonight it will be. I hope you get the chance to enjoy it.

'Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
    Your ring?' Said the Piggy, 'I will.'
So they took it away, and were married next day
    By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
    Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
    They danced by the light of the moon,
          The moon,
          The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

Edward Lear 1812-1888